CSPU all but ends Kawana's title hopes

A LATE goal from Caloundra's Sean McCarthy has all but ended defending premiers Kawana's finals chances, with the 2-1 defeat leaving Kawana wallowing at the bottom end of the table.

At the midway point of the season, Kawana has managed only two wins from nine starts, to be 11 competition points outside the top four.

On Saturday night at Kawana, CSPU drove what could well be the final nail in Kawana's premiership defence's coffin, while moving themselves into fourth place on the ladder, thanks to Buderim's 9-nil rout of a hapless Gympie outfit.

Kawana coach Les Fleming said despite the loss, and the battle now facing his side, his players were in good spirits after the match.

"It was all smiles in change room. We realised what we have to do for the rest of the season.

"Wins have been hard to come by; our attitude hasn't been right for the last few weeks, up until last (Saturday) night," Fleming said.

CSPU opened the scoring through McCarthy in the first half, a lead they held until midway through the second stanza, when Ryan Smith equalized with a powerful strike from 30m out.

Caloundra eventually found the net, again off the boot of McCarthy to take the win.

Scoreline aside, Fleming said his team had performed well, keeper Clint Edwards in particular.

"I was happy with them, they showed a lot more commitment this week," Fleming said.

"Clint Edwards had a good game in goal. He saved a penalty and pulled off some impressive saves in the first half."

In a much more open competition than previous years, Kawana is far from being the powerhouse side of the competition - a title the side had grown accustomed to.

Fleming said his players understood that change was inevitable, and something they had to work through.

"We've sat down, had a talk and realised we can't stay the same team forever, these changes have to happen," he said.

"We know we lost and there's no points in that, but it could be the turnaround. Hopefully they take in that this is what they have to do to win."

Fleming wasn't the only one mustering the troops - Caloundra coach Daryl Cook sat his squad down for a talk in the lead up to tomorrow night's rain-delayed match against Maroochydore.

"We had a pretty good talk last night. We need to get back to our best to get over the top of them," he said.

"I'm still not entirely happy with the way we are playing, but it was still good to get out with the win."

Cook said the coming weeks would see his side closer to top strength, with the return of several key players.

Shannon Elford returned against Kawana, Josh Daley has another three weeks off before returning from shin splints, and Sam Bennett is still to hit the paddock this season. "Sam hasn't been on the field all year.